It's a unique record in the wider sense, but maybe less so within the band's own back catalogue--if you've yet to be snake-charmed by the occasionally venomous but oh-so-shiny Black Moth Super Rainbow, this is certainly a good place to start.

While Cobra Juicy does offer fans a few new elements to what has become the group's trademark sound, BMSR's aesthetic is largely unchanged--they're still the psychedelic synth-rockers you know and love, and while Cobra Juicy does occasionally flirt with the extraordinary, it ultimately settles for just being "quite good.

Without giving up its commitment to obfuscation or its sense of mystery, the band has crafted a fun, playful and eclectic collection of songs that reveal a more focused, melody-driven approach to writing and a surprising level of thematic coherence.

Fans of the deep-friend earth tones that made up the group's earlier works may not be completely sold on the hi-definition beats and growly synth tones of Cobra Juicy, but newcomers to the band will still have a lot to digest and enjoy in trying to sort out the catchiness from the craziness.

Well, it is a pretty good album, not their best, but a steady, dream-like and inventive one. Windshield Smasher is still my favorite song offWell, it is a pretty good album, not their best, but a steady, dream-like and inventive one. Windshield Smasher is still my favorite song off Cobra Juicy.…Full Review »